The Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) and the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) celebrated pioneering solutions for healthy aging at the fifth Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI) awards ceremony, held recently at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony recognized initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of older people and could offer inspiration to aging societies across the region.
JCIE President and CEO Isao Kano said bringing the awards to Malaysia was timely as the country prepares for demographic change. Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation in roughly 20 years, when people aged 65 and above are expected to make up more than 14% of the population.
“HAPI is more than an award. It is a platform for bringing promising innovations to international attention, sharing knowledge, and encouraging collaboration across countries and sectors,” Kano said. “Through the achievements of our winners, we hope to inspire solutions that can be adapted to the diverse needs of aging societies across Asia.”
This year, HAPI recognized 14 organizations from seven countries and territories: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Three Grand Prizes were awarded:
Care & Wellbeing: The University of Tokyo’s Frailty Prevention Team, represented by Professor Katsuya Iijima, director of the Institute of Gerontology. Its community-led initiative helps older residents prevent or reverse frailty through healthier lifestyles and stronger social connections.
Social Engagement: NOLLUWA of the Republic of Korea, represented by CEO Mun-Hwan Cho. Its “Local Libero for Regional Revitalization and Sustainability” initiative fosters intergenerational collaboration and community renewal in a rural, aging region.
Supportive Environments: Fukuoka City, Japan, represented by Deputy Mayor Dr. Yasuko Arase, for its Fukuoka Dementia-Friendly Design initiative, which makes public spaces more accessible and inclusive for people living with dementia.
The ceremony also underscored the value of cross-border collaboration as Asia’s population ages. By sharing successful approaches, HAPI creates opportunities for innovators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore solutions that can be adapted to communities throughout the region.
